Functionalizing implantable devices with a poly (diol citrate) polymer

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a novel poly (diol citrates)-based coating for implantable devices. More specifically, the specification describes methods and compositions for making and using implantable devices coated with citric acid copolymers or citric acid copolymers impregnated with therapeutic compositions and/or cells.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of preparing a small diameter blood vessel from expanded poly-tetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) comprising modifying a lumen of said small diameter blood vessel by coating the small diameter blood vessel through a spin-shearing method wherein said method comprises:
 a. coating a glass-rod with a polyester comprising a linear aliphatic diol monomer and an acid monomer selected from the group consisting of citric acid, malic acid, and combinations thereof by use of a mechanical stirrer; 
 b. rotating said coated glass rod at a speed of about 300 rpm; 
 c. contacting said rotating glass rod with ePTFE to form the coating; 
 d. shearing the lumen of the graft by rotating the graft in a direction counter to the direction in which it is spinning in step (a); and 
 e. optionally, repeating steps a to d.